Marketing strategies

Well, the other day I saw for the first time a gas station actually selling E85 fuel. It was priced at $2.31.xx/gallon, which was $.20 cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline. But I wonder how many people realize that, at those prices, they're actually paying more for their fuel with this stuff?

Ethanol has about 75% of the energy content of gasoline (depending on the source you use; mine is the EPA), so a blended mix of 15/85 gas/ethanol has about 78% of the energy content of gasoline. If this translates directly into 78% of the fuel economy, then users will be paying roughly 8% MORE for fuel in the form of E85.

Is it really worth it? No, but all of the global warming freaks are making the public think it is. I'm starting to wonder if oil companies are behind global warming in a totally different way....

Are we wandering away?

I'm becoming increasingly concerned that the Christians, as a whole, are becoming more and more Deist in their beliefs, and it concerns me. I know many people who would gladly rationalize away events in their lives saying the the Lord can do anything He wants, and that no correlation exists between the events in our lives and our pursuit of Him. He can do anything He wants, but because of His nature, He must also do everything He says He will. This includes working in our lives, leading us, guiding us to places He wants us to be. This includes answering prayers (as long as they're not in direct opposition to His will), especially when we pray incessantly for something. This includes caring for us here and now, and comforting us when the enemy opposes us. This includes giving us wisdom (abundantly) about the why's and how's of directions we're taking or plans He has for us.

But the first step in all of this is believing that He will do all of that. Jesus could not work in towns because of their unbelief. And I believe that God's work in our lives depends on the extent to which we believe and trust that He will is actively working in them, and doing so for our good.

So, I'll end this with a few questions. I've read one blog recently where the author stated outright his belief that we're all on our own.How many of you out there believe that God is "hands off" in our times? How many of you believe that? And why? And if you were showed that the Bible says contrary, would you believe it?